Rats revved up for playoff push

In their final season in Albany, this is shaping up to be a memorable campaign for the River Rats.

And it's far from being over as they'll compete in the Calder Cup playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons.

This has already been a season of firsts for this River Rats team, which is the last that will call Albany home as the American Hockey League franchise was sold and will be relocated to Charlotte, N.C. for next season.

The Rats are assured of a second-place finish in the East Division, their best divisional showing in the four years the club has served as the top affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes.

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With this success, Albany (42-28-3-5) is guaranteed of finishing with at least 92 points for now -- 19 better than last season -- with two games remaining in the regular season.

The Rats are also one point shy of equaling the franchise's best production of 93 points standings points, when the club finished third in the East Division in the 2007-08 season.

Albany plays at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tonight and wrap up its regular season at the Adirondack Phantoms on Saturday night.

The Rats will open the Calder Cup playoffs on Wednesday against an opponent to be determined.

Albany rebounded from a disappointing 2008-09 season in which it finished in last place in the East Division.

The difference this season over previous campaigns has been depth. Despite numerous player recalls to Carolina, Albany has endured both these losses throughout the season as well as injuries.

Led by right wing Jerome Samson, who already is riding a breakout season with career highs in goals (37), assists (41) and points (78) as he ranks second in the league in goal scoring and fourth in points.

Defensemen Bryan Rodney and rookie Jamie McBain are both up with the Hurricanes, but veteran Tim Conboy provides leadership on the blue line, which has been bolstered with the return of third-year pro Casey Borer.

Justin Peters has stood out in goal, both with the Rats and Hurricanes, and has flourished in his time Carolina with a 6-3-0 record and a 2.83 GAA in his first nine pro appearances.

After this weekend, Albany will turn its focus to the opportunity of winning a playoff series -- which would be the first as Carolina's top affiliate and the franchise's first in 11 years.

Here are the Rats' final regular-season grades:

Forwards

Jerome Samson

Selected as a first team AHL All-Star, Samson joined a select group of River Rats, becoming the first Albany player to score 30 goals in nine seasons. He was rewarded with a pair of recalls to Carolina, as he registered his first NHL point with an assist in his Hurricanes debut. With two games remaining, the third-year pro holds the 10th highest single-season point total (74) in club history. Grade: A.

Chris Terry

After a balanced offensive effort in the first half, the left wing has vaulted into second place in team scoring with 46 (17-29) points, tallying 28 points, including 20 assists in the past 38 games, and ranks second on the club in game-winning goals (four). The durable Terry hasn't missed a game this season and ranks seventh in the league in rookie scoring. Grade: A-minus.

Nick Dodge

Dodge, who appeared in all 80 games last season as a rookie, is again closing in on the club's Iron Man honors. Dodge (16-20-36) has posted a career high in goals, including a pair of game winners, and leads the team in plus-minus rating (plus-18). Grade: B-plus.

Mike Angelidis

The fourth-year pro continues to lead by example as an assistant captain. His workmanlike approach is invaluable as Angelidis (10-12-22) strives to play a self-proclaimed "greasy" style and he stands fourth on the team in penalty minutes (117). Grade: B.

Drayson Bowman

The first-year left wing has displayed a flair for the dramatic as his five shootout goals rank him tied for the league rookie lead. Rewarded with his first NHL recall, Bowman (17-15-32) scored two goals in Carolina's 8-5 rout of Tampa Bay on Tuesday for his first NHL points. Grade: B.

Stephan Chaput

The second-year center was on course to play in all 80 games this season, but has missed the past three games because of injury. The hard-working Chaput (10-28-38) is ranked fourth on the team in assists and is a plus-10 in 75 games. Grade: B.

Jacob Micflikier

Through a career season-high 57 games with Albany, Micflikier continues to provide the team with a spark, with 38 points, including 18 goals and 20 assists -- all career highs. He scored the seventh penalty-shot goal in River Rats history in Saturday's 4-2 victory over rival Adirondack. Grade: B.

Oskar Osala

Coming over from the rival Hershey Bears in a trade in early March, the 6-foot-4 power forward hasn't disappointed with nine (6-3) points in 14 games with Albany. Has tallied 38 points, including 21 goals, in 67 games overall this season. Grade: B.

Nicolas Blanchard

The second-year centerman continues to deliver his physical and gritty style of play with 171 penalty minutes, but has shown a scoring touch with 14 goals and 22 points in 74 games. Grade: B-minus.

Brad Herauf

Stands second in penalty minutes (182), but the fifth-year pro has shown his offensive talents as well with career AHL highs in goals (five), assists (5) and points (10), including a pair of game-winning goals. Grade: B-minus.

Steven Goertzen

A mainstay in a checking-line role, Goertzen has posted career high's in games played (69), goals (8), assists (15) and points (23) and has been consistent by forging a plus-10 rating. Grade: B-minus.

Matthew Pistilli

Displayed flashes of offensive talent with eight (3-5) points and a plus-eight rating in 41 games, but missed nearly a quarter of the season because of injury. Grade: Incomplete.

Jiri Tlusty

Only 20, Tlusty has brought three seasons of experience at this level. After he was acquired by Carolina in a trade with Toronto in December and a 13-game recall with the Hurricanes, Tlusty has posted 12 (6-6) points in just 18 games with Albany, having missed 15 games because of injury. Grade: Incomplete.

Defensemen

Jamie McBain

The rookie's stock quickly rose as he delivered an impact regular season. Currently with the Hurricanes, McBain stands second on the Rats in assists (33) and third in points (40) and is a plus-11 in 68 games. Grade: A-minus.

Bryan Rodney

A constant steady defender and team leader, Rodney earned three recalls to Carolina this season, including his current 11-game stint. The fifth-year pro has registered career AHL highs in goals (7), assists (35) and points (42) in 54 games this season and like McBain, likely for return for the playoffs. Grade: A-minus.

Jonathan Paiement

In his first nearly full AHL season, the fourth-year pro continues to show versatility in his fourth pro season as he's moved up to play forward when called upon. Has registered AHL career highs in goals (4) assists (19) and points (23) along with a plus-11 rating in 71 games. Grade: B.

Zack FitzGerald

The colorful defender tops the league with a career high 307 penalty minutes (307) and also leads the circuit in minor penalties (75). In his fifth pro season, FitzGerald has posted career highs in assists (12) and points (14) and experienced Manitoba's run to the Calder Cup final last year. Grade: B.

Brett Bellemore

The rookie has played in all but three games this season. Has seen plenty of playing time, but is a minus-12 over the second half of the campaign, after he was a plus-5 through 37 games. Grade: C.

Casey Borer

After suffering a broken neck in the team bus crash last season and undergoing surgery in September, Borer wondered if he's even play hockey again. He's made an admirable comeback, returning to action on Jan. 23 and has posted nine (1-8) points in 30 games since. Grade: Incomplete.

Jay Harrison

In his eighth pro season, has provided a veteran presence in 32 games and while with Carolina now, is on the Rats' playoff roster. Grade: Incomplete.

Goalies

Justin Peters

This has been a breakthrough season for Peters, both with the Rats and Hurricanes. The fourth-year pro, who has posted career AHL bests in wins (24), goals against average (2.53) and save percentage in 44 games with Albany, is primed to make a playoff run. Grade: A.

Mike Murphy

The talented but hard-luck rookie has missed 30 games because of injury and hasn't played since mid-February. He generated a four-game win streak in late December and now hopes to be healthy for the playoffs. Grade: B.

Mike Morrison

Now with Utah of the ECHL, the eighth-year pro stepped up as with Peters on recall to Carolina and with Murphy hurt, Morrison posted a 6-5-1 mark in 14 appearances with Albany. Grade: Incomplete.

Coaching

In his two years at the helm in Albany, head coach Jeff Daniels has displayed plenty of cool in challenging conditions, including guiding the team through the aftermath of the team bus crash last season. With a flurry of player callups this season, the coaching staff has kept the team focused toward the goal of making the playoffs. Grade: A.